Ready to lead party in Lok Sabha: Shashi Tharoor

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Ready to lead party in Lok Sabha: Shashi Tharoor

Abu Dhabi - Tharoor is positive that he is a good fit for the job as is evident from his track record in the parliament since 2009.

by

Anjana Sankar

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Published: Sat 1 Jun 2019, 10:48 PM

With Congress party president Rahul Gandhi offering to step down after the worst drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections, the team INC (Indian National Congress) is groping in the dark. Even as the question whether Rahul will go or not still hanging in uncertainty, senior Congress leader Dr Shashi Tharoor is giving out strong signals about his readiness to lead the party in the 17th Lok Sabha. 
"If they want me, then I am certainly ready," Tharoor told Khaleej Times in a telephonic interview.
But in the same breath, the third time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, who won with a massive 99,989 votes, added, "It should ideally be him. Rahul Gandhi as the party leader should use the platform of the Lok Sabha to advocate the party's message. But if he finds he does not have the time for it, then I am certainly willing to step up to the role."
In Tharoor's own words, at a time when the party has lost many of its stalwarts, people like him with considerable experience "should pull a bit of extra weight and step in. But it depends on very much what the party wants."
There is no consensus yet on whether the former UN diplomat-turned politician could fill in the power vacuum when the party is facing an existential crisis. Yet, there is no denying that Tharoor has emerged as the dark horse who stopped the saffron surge in Kerala.
Tharoor's opponent from the BJP camp Kummanam Rajasehkaran was widely expected to open the BJP's account in Kerala by beating Tharoor and the CPI's (Communist Party of India) C. Divakaran. However, Tharoor beat all odds, including a freak accident and hostile segments within his party, to score a hat-trick win. According to many in the Congress circle that Khaleej Times spoke to, the question is whether the party high command will take Tharoor's merit into account or opt for a candidate who will happily toe the family line.
"Tharoor will not be a Manmohan Singh. He is a tall leader with an international stature. He is seen as the future prime minister of India. Congress party will rather go for someone who is not a threat to the Gandhi dynasty," said a senior Congress leader from Kerala on condition of anonymity.
But Tharoor is positive that he is a good fit for the job as is evident from his track record in the parliament since 2009.
"I have been able to tackle a number of complex issues and speak with clarity and conviction (in the parliament). And I hope that I have also demonstrated over the years that I think fairly quickly on my feet - both of which are necessary to take on the challenges posed by the government," said Tharoor.
With just 52 MPs, the Congress cannot stake claim for the opposition status in the lower house of the parliament. But if left to an outstanding orator like Tharoor, it is believed that the party can at least effectively make itself heard against the booming voice of the 353 NDA (National Democratic Alliance) MPs. 
"We need to keep the government on its toes. Our numbers may not look very impressive. They (BJP) are obviously ahead of us in terms of their strength. But we have the option to ask questions, we can probe them in the parliament debates and challenge things. We may not be able to win because they have the votes," said Tharoor.
Though Rahul Gandhi is widely held responsible for Congress' embarrassing defeat in the elections, Tharoor categorically refused to pin the blame on the Gandhi scion. 
"If you look at what Rahul Gandhi did, he did lead the party with energy and commitment from the front. He still has a lot to offer the party."
With Rahul taking up the party's mantle just two years ago from his mother Sonia Gandhi, Tharoor feels it "makes no sense" to ask for a leadership change.
"The person should be given time to give a significant impact." 
When asked whether the 2019 verdict was against the Gandhi dynasty, Tharoor said the Gandhi-Nehru family has made an "enormous amount of contribution to our society, to our politics, to our history."
"Members of their family have given their lives for the nation. So, it is a reflection of the kind of space they occupy in the hearts and minds of the Indian public."
While a certain core support and admiration for the family remains, Tharoor said Rahul Gandhi fully understands that he cannot vie and win elections on the past glory and contributions of his ancestors. "The fight is to be here and now and he has been doing that."
But he does admit that there are various "complex challenges" facing the party including organisational issues, narrative issues and messaging issues. "All of these need to be analysed before we start rushing around clamouring for a change of leadership."
Looking ahead, Tharoor concedes that revival should be the game plan for the Congress, and it should start at the state level.
Alluding to the Congress victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh Vidhaan Sabha elections last December, Tharoor said the aim is to reverse the BJP's gains at the state level. "For that we have to consolidate the narrative and get it across very strongly and make sure that we as a party once again remind people that how much we connect with our values and aspirations," Tharoor concluded.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com


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